Migrating from Another Email Service Provider to Klaviyo

Overview

If you are moving from an email service provider (ESP) like MailChimp or Constant Contact, Klaviyo should fully replace any other email platform you might use. While we do offer integrations with other ESPs, these are meant for one-time use to migrate your contacts into your new Klaviyo account.

Key Guidelines

Swap out embedded simple sign up formsMake sure to switch all existing newsletter sign up forms on your site to Klaviyo forms to ensure these individuals now get added to your newsletter list in Klaviyo

Redirect integrated subscriber formsIf you're using any third-party form tools (e.g. Wufoo, forms on Facebook, etc.) to send people to your ESP, make sure to adjust these so they point to Klaviyo

Sync subscribers at checkoutIf you're automatically collecting newsletter subscribers through your shopping cart checkout process, make sure these subscribers get synced to Klaviyo; for platforms like Shopify and Magento, this feature is available via the standard integration

Import current bounces and unsubscribesIf you are using a built-in Klaviyo integration to migrate over from your former ESP, you're all set here; if not, you will need to ensure any lists of bounces/unsubscribes are uploaded directly to your suppression list in Klaviyo

Migrate current autorespondersMigrate any existing autoresponders to flows and turn them live

Migrate saved email templatesIf you are interested in transferring existing newsletter email templates from your former ESP to Klaviyo, you can follow our guide

Ensure all existing subscribers are added to Klaviyo:

If you are using MailChimp / Campaign Monitor / Constant Contact / MadMimi, you'll use a built-in integration with Klaviyo to sync over existing subscriber lists, as well as your unsubscribes and bounces. To do this, you will want to configure the relevant integration -- if you navigate to your Integrations tab, click All Integrations, and filter Category = Email, you will see all of our current built-in ESP integrations.

Once you have completed all of these steps, you will no longer need to be affiliated with your previous ESP.

Important Considerations and Best Practices

After switching all your signup forms to point to Klaviyo, wait a few days and watch your lists in your former ESP. If you notice subscribers are still being added to these lists, there's probably at least one form that still needs to be swapped out.

Another important thing to consider before importing any existing email lists is list cleaning. We highly recommend that you import clean lists into Klaviyo and send to an engaged list from your first send -- if you intend to sync over existing email lists, or manually import existing lists into Klaviyo, your email deliverability may be at risk if you skip this step.

Your former ESP most likely provides a way to analyze the engagement level of your main list, using data points such as open rates, bounce rates, etc. Before you migrate any existing subscriber lists into Klaviyo, we recommend using all data available to isolate and remove any invalid or inactive emails that will only bloat your sending and drag down your deliverability. This should all be done in advance of your first send with Klaviyo.

If Klaviyo doesn't provide a built-in integration with your ESP, there are two ways you can make sure you're sending to an engaged list:

Upload a master list with engagement data as custom properties

Upload separate master, engaged, and inactive lists

Once you've done either of these options, you should send exclusively to your engaged list or segment for your first few campaigns. If you send daily, send to this group for the first week. If you send more than once a week, send your first 2-3 campaigns to this list or segment.

Learn more

Click here for detailed instructions on how to upload an engaged master list.